The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation ("Commission") provides this public notice that, at their meeting held November 17, 2009, the Commission adopted the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's ("Department") updated Criminal Conviction Guidelines pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, §53.025(a). These guidelines describe the process by which the Department determines whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted. The guidelines present the general factors that are considered in all cases and the reasons why particular crimes are considered to relate to each type of license issued by the Department.

House Bill 2591, Acts of the 81st Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, amended Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1152 relating to the regulation of property tax consultants and added a new subchapter regarding prohibited acts by property tax consultants. Based on the changes to the statute regarding the prohibition on using deceptive business practices in the solicitation of business, the Department has updated the guidelines to include crimes involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and deceptive business practices.

The Department presented the updated guidelines applicable to property tax consultants to the Property Tax Consultants Advisory Council at their meeting of October 22, 2009, and received a recommendation of approval.

A copy of the updated Criminal Conviction Guidelines is posted on the Department's website and may be downloaded at www.license.state.tx.us. You may also contact the Enforcement Division at (512) 539-5600 or by email at enforcement@license.state.tx.us to obtain a copy of the updated guidelines.

TRD-200905478

William H. Kuntz, Jr.

Executive Director

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Filed: November 24, 2009